Admire The Spectacular Humanity Of Jesus

“After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, ’Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.’ The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he spoke. One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was reclining at table close to Jesus, so Simon Peter motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. So that disciple, leaning back against Jesus, said to him, ‘Lord, who is it?’ Jesus answered, ’It is he to whom I will give this morsel of bread when I have dipped it.’ So when he had dipped the morsel, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot. Then after he had taken the morsel, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, ’What you are going to do, do quickly.’ Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. Some thought that, because Judas had the moneybag, Jesus was telling him, ‘Buy what we need for the feast,’ or that he should give something to the poor. So, after receiving the morsel of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night” (John 13:18-20, ESV).

What we usually hear about politicians in our country (Philippines) are their corruption, divisiveness, or desire for publicity. So, when it comes to our attention that a particular politician performs impressively, it’s like breathing a fresh air for us.

Do you have someone in mind?

We could mention the American businessman turned politician, Donald Trump. Some news commentators agree that he has spine of steel. There are ordinary US citizens who want him to run even for the third term. Many admire him.

Not only in politics, but we also appreciate and admire anyone who performs what is exemplary or impressive in sports, in business, in class, or in whatever field. We admire even a church member, not financially well off, yet willing to give financial help to someone who is in need.

Because of knowing such person, we are also awakening something within ourselves. How much more if we know the exemplary, breathtaking, impressive humanity of Jesus Christ?

So, this time, let’s explore our topic, ADMIRE THE SPECTACULAR HUMANITY OF JESUS, while we study our text (John 13:21-30).

Why do we say the humanity of Jesus Christ is impressive, extraordinary, breathtaking, or spectacular?

For some time, we have been going through the Gospel of John.

Last time, in verses 18-20 of John 13, we dug out some peculiar desires of Jesus for His followers. He wanted for them to strengthen or increase their faith. He wanted for them to realize that He regarded them in a very special way. He wanted His words of promise be directed to them. And that He wanted for them to be encouraged greatly when they go on their mission.

Now, in our present text, we’ll look on the humanity of Jesus Christ. And we note that His humanity is spectacular. Why it is so? In what way that we can label it as extraordinary, phenomenal, impressive, stunning, breathtaking, or spectacular?

First, CONSIDER THE SPLENDOR OF HIS SOVEREIGNTY (verses 21-25).

We read verses 21-25, “After saying these things, Jesus was troubled in his spirit, and testified, ’Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.’ The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he spoke. One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was reclining at table close to Jesus, so Simon Peter motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. So that disciple, leaning back against Jesus, said to him, ‘Lord, who is it?’"

Before we cite the Sovereignty of Jesus, we note in verse 21, His true humanity. Notice the words, “Jesus was troubled in his spirit,..” It showed that He suffered emotional pain. His humanity was not just displayed or showed on the outside, as having a physical human body; but it was expressed in the inner being. It was suffering an inner pain felt by any ordinary human being.

Jesus is not only Divine, but truly and fully human -- outside and inside. He is truly human, for He has human emotion. But though He is human, God’s attribute of Sovereignty is evident in this passage. Notice what Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, one of you will betray me.” It was not just an speculation. It was not just a supposition. He said, “Truly, truly, I say to you…” It was a declaration of certainty. He displayed not just God’s Power to know what’s going to happen in the future. For he ordained what’s going to happen.

If we move forward to verse 27, we learned that after Judas took the morsel of bread from Jesus, Satan entered into Judas. Of course, we do not read that Satan asked Jesus’ permission to enter into Judas. But we do know that the devil cannot act anything on his own will alone. As Jesus handed the bread to someone who would betray him, did Jesus give the hint for Satan to influence or even possess Judas?